Sarcoma Services

Being diagnosed with cancer—especially a rare sarcoma—can be an emotionally
challenging experience. Cancer specialists in the Sutter Health network offer advanced
diagnostic and treatment services, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to
help you cope with your disease.

Featured Services

Helping You Cope With Sarcomas

A growing lump, swelling, tenderness and pain are often the first signs of a possible
sarcoma. An uncommon type of tumor, sarcomas are categorized into two broad areas:
soft tissue and bone. Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in the soft or
connective tissues, including muscles, tendons, fibrous tissues, fat, blood vessels,
nerves, and tissues surrounding joints. Sarcomas can also develop in bone tissue,
causing bone cancer.

Diagnosing Your Disease

If your doctor suspects you have a sarcoma, you may undergo a biopsy
of the lump or tumor, imaging
tests such as an MRI or CT scan, or even a bone
scan. Once the cancer has been identified and located, your doctor can create
a personalized treatment plan.

At many of our cancer centers, multidisciplinary panels of experts—including
radiologists, pathologists, surgeons and oncologists—review complex cancer cases
together, in meetings called tumor boards, to combine their collective expertise and
craft an approach that best fits your needs. How your sarcoma is treated ultimately
depends on the type, location and size of the tumor, as well as whether it has spread
to other parts of your body.

Treatments Tailored to You

Surgery to remove the cancer cells is often the first and most frequently used
treatment option. Surgical
oncologists in the Sutter Health network are experts at using state-of-the-art
and minimally invasive techniques to delicately remove cancerous tissue.

Your doctor may also suggest radiation
or chemotherapy
to kill cancer cells. These therapies may be prescribed alone, together or in addition
to surgery. Your care team will work with you to determine the best treatment plan
for your type of sarcoma.

Patient Information

Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about
health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

Meet for discussion, education and support.

In Your Corner

Nurse navigators can meet with you to provide a better understanding of your disease
and how to prepare for treatment, recovery and continued care.

Cancer Research

Cancer is caused by cells that divide uncontrollably. They can grow into tumors that
spread in the body. There are many types of cancer and many different causes. Research
into the biology of cancer leads to effective treatments that improve and extend lives.